‘Is it wrong for us to play DJ at celebrations?’ Dalit leaders ask Dakshina Kannada SP

Mangaluru: The issue of Lathi charge by police at a pre-wedding Mehendi function at Koraga Colony at Kotathattu in neighboring Udupi district echoed at the hearing of Dalit representatives chaired by Dakshina Kannada SP Hrishikesh Sonavane on Friday.

The Dalit leaders condemned the “inhuman lathi-charge” by the police. Dalit leader Shekhar questioned whether it was wrong for the oppressed community to use DJ music at celebrations held at their homes.

“The social welfare minister goes to the home of the victims of the Koraga family and says we are with you. Elsewhere, seven persons, including the bridegroom of the Koraga community are criminally booked. This is ironic,” he said.

Suspension of the guilty policemen in the case is not enough, he said and urged for a case should be registered against the guilty policemen. He petitioned the district SP to bring the matter to the notice of the superiors.

Dalit leaders also alleged that some cases related to atrocities against them were being converted into ‘B’ report by the police under pressure from the upper classes for the lure of money.

However, the police superintendent allayed any such incidents coming to light. “b report will be done only after verification at the level of the district, and then the report is submitted to the IG. So there is no question of falling prey to any such pressure or lure. Even when there is such suspicion, the victims have the power to challenge them in court,” he said adding that there should be no such suspicion as there were also provisions for ordering a court inquiry.